Copa America Taught United States 3 Valuable Lessons

It’s hard to feel good about the Copa América Centenario after the 4-0 drubbing Argentina laid on the United States in the semifinals.

I haven’t seen a beating that bad since Kimbo Slice knocked that guy’s eye out. RIP Kimbo.

If we’re being honest, the United States was never going to beat Argentina. Not with Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood on the bench and Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Beckerman on the field.

Lost in the sadness and disappoint of the Argentina loss are some positives.

I don’t know about you, but my glass is half full, not half empty, and we got to the semifinals, god dammit!

Let’s look at three good things we can take away from Copa América.

Bobby Wood means we won’t have to endure more Jozy Altidore

Bobby Wood has cemented his starting role up top next to Clint Dempsey for the forseeable future. His pace complements Dempsey’s skill and know-how.

Wood gives the United States a legitimate counterattacking threat and forces opposing defenses to stay on their toes.

John Brooks is emerging as a future captain of the USMNT

John Brooks had a terrific tournament. He was everywhere on defense. He’s a revelation for the United States. That goal in Brazil in the World Cup he scored was a precursor of things to come. He’ll anchor the back line for years to come.

Tim Howard is still our favorite keeper

Brad Guzan isn’t solely to blame for the USMNT’s shameful defeat to Argentina, but he certainly didn’t help.

Tim Howard is a talisman for the United States. After what he did in the last World Cup, his starting spot should be secure.

Brad Guzan is a baldhead motherfucker no one likes. I’m not saying Tim Howard would have saved all four of those goals, but maybe one or two of them.

The United States just has more juice when Howard’s out on the field. We need him and his beard.

Final thoughts

Even though Argentina beat the brakes off the United States in the semifinals, there’s still a lot for U.S. soccer fans to be excited about going forward.

The next generation of players – John Brooks, DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic, Darlington Nagbe, and Gyasi Zardes – is starting to come into their own.

By the time the World Cup rolls around, the mediocre players that have been holding United States back will be banished; replaced by younger, better, more exciting players.